Hong Kong Travel Industry Council Executive Director Joseph Tung estimates that the local tourism industry should expect a 20% - 30% rise in business by June, and even better business in July and August.

Now that the World Health Organisation has lifted its travel advisory for Hong Kong, travel agencies have started promoting budget packages to Hong Kong in Southeast Asia, he said. The response so far is good. 

Mr Tung was speaking on a Commercial Radio programme this morning. Joining him to speak about reviving the tourism trade were Hong Kong Hotels Association's Michael Li, East-West Strategic Development Commission Chairman Daniel Fung, and the Better Hong Kong Foundation's Chief Executive George Yuen.

Mr Li believes individual business travellers and tours from Guangdong Province would be the first visitors to Hong Kong and we could first target these groups.

He expects hotel occupancy rates to return to normal levels by the end of this year or early next year.

But Mr Li stressed that we must remain vigilant against SARS, as it takes only one tourist to be infected to have a great impact on Hong Kong. Preventive measures at departure points and environmental hygience at hotels are key, he said.

The Government, he went on, should be firm in and sustain its efforts in enforcing laws protecting the Hong Kong environment. This would let visitors know that Hong Kong is a clean and safe place to travel.

Daniel Fung will work with expatriate chambers of commerce to attract overseas business people. His organisation will also stage "Hong Kong Night" in Austria in late June to promote Hong Kong as Asia's world city and a cultural place.

He appealed to citizens to wear face masks less, so as to disseminate the message that Hong Kong has recovered and establish a healthy image for the territory.

George Yuen said they would launch an email campaign telling people overseas that Hong Kong is coming back.  In the third quarter, they will stage an international public health conference, gathering international and local scientists.

They would also organise visits to Pearl River Delta to forge a close relationship between parties concerned and promote tourism.